COMMERCE AND FINANCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18600, 30 December 1920, Page 6

COMMERCE AND FINANCE.

(BY OCR HNANCIAB EDITOR.)

“RISING PRICE OF NEW ZEALAND TWEEDS.

Now Zealand tweeds are advancing in price. An increase was made in November last, aiAl retailers are being prepared for a further rise shortly of 10 per cent. At the present time the woollen manufacturers of the Dominion, it is g*.id, refuse to give any firm prices for forward deliveries.

THE DOMINION’S IMPORTS. In tile imports, for the eleven months of' tile present year, says he “ New Zealand Trade Review,” substantial increases " are shown in importations of apparel, boots and shoes, carpets, drapery, hats and caps, hosiery, millinery, ootton nd woollen piece goods, hardware and other manufactures oi metals, confectionery, sugar, wines and spirits! tea, ' coal, china 'and glassware, leather and its manufactures, motor vehicles (£3,523,193, as compared with £1,033,903 last year), benzine and all other oils, cigarettes, tobacco and cigars. The values only are given by tho “ Review ” in the table hereunder consideration, and in this higher prices must be taken into account. On the other hand, and for all the enhanced prices, the following increases in volume are to be noticed:

CHARGE FOR BUTTER BOXES.

Some consternation lias been caused to merchants and grocers in Auckland, says the “Herald,” by tho decision of some dairy companies to charge for butter boxes and cheese crates. One Dairy Company has informed grocers and merchants that in future they aro to be charged 2s Sd fot each butter box. Another company has intimated its indention to charge 3d each for cheese crates. For any boxes or crates returned a credit will be entered. Business men concerned stated that butter boxes and cheese crates have always been included in the price paid for butter or cheese. Tho Auckland Prices’ Investigation Tribunal has gone into this matter, in conjunction with the Agricultural Department. Although the. Department has not officially announced its decision on this question, it. is understood that the mer--1 chants’ and grocers’ view has been token bj the Agricultural Department, and that m due course dairy companies will be advised ■to: this effect.,

| FRENCH VINTAGE REPORT. a report from one of tho champagne manufacturers is as follows: — . , < The historic champagne districts around .Rheims, together with tlioso situa.ed along •the ' never-to-be-forgotten River Marne, still ■bear'the mark of four years continuous fighting which resulted in tho total desirnctiori of about one-third of the areas given •u:> to tho special culture of champagne grape., so-that it . seems almost superfluous for me to labour the cruel sufferings of tho vignoronß, doubly stricken in their homes and industry ; but the same determination and dogged perseverance which actuated our people during the. of the war are now' ; dominating - influences in the rehabilitation 'i of these unhappy parts. The untiring zeal and energy with which this object has been pursued have been blessed with what promises to be an exceptionally good vintage. 1 Tlio spring weather was very favourable, bein" hot and dry, and by midsummer tho vines were healthily developed, and oin: remarkable St Remy’s summer completed the maturing of tho grapes, and giving an increased sugar weignt. The.' vmtago was m full swing at the end of September, amd is ; now just oompleted, and although it is naturally too early to give a final opinion, the " must ” points to our having a wine of great delicacy, of exquisite bouquet and of medium body. Unfortunately the puce paid for the grapes has been a rocord one, but we have every confidence that the 1933 vintage will be truly worthy of its predecessors.

Corrugated iron, owts . 1920. 866.911 1919. 155,665 Bar iron, tons 13,697 4,052 Pig and scrap, tons 10,8.14 4,330 Ale and stout, gala . 57.150 13,794 Whisky, gals . 681,685 270,910 Te«, pounds , 12,745.147 7,805,921 Motor vehicles, ICo. 10,356 o.ooO Linseed oil, gals , 496,906 181,681 Leather, lbs . 3,876,542 544.390 Pianos, etc. 1,875 974 Tobacco and cigarettes, lb 4,731,256 3,714,865 Preserved fish, lbs . 4,450,080 2,250,067